12 Haunted Tourist Destinations in the US—Because Who Needs Sleep Anyway?
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Spooky season is fast approaching, and what can be better than seeking out ghostly adventures? In the US, there are haunted tourist destinations that will make you jump out of your skin.
From creepy theme parks to haunted mansions, the US is full of haunted places that will send shivers down your spine. No matter which state you visit, you’ll find a chilling place to visit if you dare.
Gather up your courage for a scary adventure that will make you scream. Below are the 12 most haunted tourist destinations in the US.
New York, New York
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As one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the world, New York has plenty for first-time visitors. On top of its high-rises, famous parks, restaurants, and theaters are its haunted places. Some serious ghost sightings go down in the Big Apple.
For the ultimate haunted experience as a tourist in New York, consider staying at the historic Hotel Chelsea. The hotel is where musician Sid Vicious famously stabbed his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen. It’s also where spooky things happen regularly.
Throughout the city, you’ll find several other haunted destinations that will make your blood boil. If you want the ultimate scare, visit the Rolling Hills Asylum, Amityville Horror House, and Washington Square Park at night if you dare.
Read also: US Bucket List Experiences
Savannah, Georgia
The historic city of Savannah is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. With its historic buildings, streets, and parks, it’s full of timeless beauty that makes it a major tourist destination. It’s also incredibly haunted.
From creepy cabins to haunted mansions, the city runs popular ghost tours that take you through several haunted abodes. One of the most haunted places in Savannah is Bonaventure Cemetery. Legends say that the ghost of six-year-old Gracie Watson haunts the cemetery, and visitors come to place toys on her grave.
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Other haunted places include the Marshall House, a 19th-century commercial building that was once a hospital during the Civil War and Yellow Fever epidemics. If you stay in Savannah long enough, you may have a ghostly encounter of your own.
Read also: Must-Visit Cities in the US
Austin, Texas
The city of Austin, Texas, draws in millions of tourists who come for live music and good times. What tourists don’t know is that the city is a haven for hauntings.
One of the most haunted places in Austin is the famous Driskill Hotel. This Victorian hotel is haunted by its former owner, Jesse Driskill, who lost it all on a bet. His angry ghost is often seen disrupting guests in the halls and roaming the lobby at night.
Other haunted destinations include the Littlefield House and the Shoal Creek Massacre Site. Visit Austin for the music, and you may end up seeing something from beyond the grave.
Read also: Offbeat US Attractions
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Civil War devastated the United States. Over 600,000 soldiers and countless civilians lost their lives on the battlefield. In terms of casualties and sheer devastation, it’s hard to find a more grisly battle location than Gettysburg.
The battle cost the lives of over 50,000 people, many of whom were left to die unburied. Today, the inns, homes, and farmlands around the battlefield are home to some of the most reported hauntings in the US.
The town also has plenty of haunted sites. Places such as Gettysburg College and the Dobbin House are eerie reminders of the town’s dark Civil War history, with frequent ghost sightings and paranormal phenomena.
Read also: Historic Cities in the US
Charleston, South Carolina
Millions of tourists visit Charleston annually for its sunny weather, world-class seafood, and charming culture. Besides the bottomless seafood boils and live music are the common ghost sightings.
Charleston is home to hotels, inns, bars, and former hospitals that have seen plenty of gruesome action. One of the most haunted destinations is the Dock Street Theatre. Here, the ghosts of Nettie Dickerson and Junius Brutus Booth, the father of President Lincoln’s assassin, can be seen roaming the hallways.
If you want an even creepier destination in Charleston, head to the St. Phillips Graveyard. Here, the ghost of Sue Howard is often seen mourning over her own grave.
Read also:Must-Visit Quirky Places in the US
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city famous for the Salem Witch Trials, a historical event that saw the execution of over 100 women accused of being witches. Since the 17th-century event, many places throughout the city have witnessed eerie paranormal activity.
For the ultimate spooky experience, check out Burying Point Cemetery. The cemetery is one of the oldest in the country. Names such as John Hathorne, the judge who presided over the trials, are etched in the gravestones.
Other haunted locations include the House of the Seven Gables. It was one of the locations for the trials and the inspiration for writer Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel of the same name. Today, you can tour the house and learn about its history and spooky paranormal sightings.
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
With so much history, it’s not hard to believe that Philadelphia is one of the US’s most haunted tourist destinations. The city is full of historic hotels, homes, and graveyards where spirits are said to roam.
Head to the historic Washington Square or Christ Church Burial Ground to see the ghosts of the early founding fathers. Then, see the Betsy Ross House and the Bishop White House, two of the city’s most haunted mansions.
As haunted Philly destinations go, none are creepier than the Eastern State Penitentiary. This former prison is now a museum and hosts one of the US’s largest Halloween celebrations.
Read also: Extraordinary Museums To Visit in the US
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is the gateway to the Grand Canyon and one of the most visited regions of the US. Tourists come for the region’s outdoor sights and beautiful natural surroundings. However, some people end up encountering strange phenomena that would make even Scooby Doo cower in fear.
One of the most haunted places in Flagstaff is the Hotel Monte Vista. This historic hotel saw the murders of several guests who frequently haunt the living. If you want to spend your vacation being attacked by an angry ghost, this is your dream destination.
Other haunted locations in the city include the Orpheum Theater and the Weatherford Hotel. There are also haunted places throughout Route 66, many are located right in the Flagstaff area.
Read also: Spectacular US Spots for Outdoorsy People
Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City is a hub for tourists from around the world. It’s also a haunted destination with plenty of dark lore to keep you up all night. There’s also deep-dish pizza, which, according to New Yorkers, is scarier than any poltergeist.
One of the most popular and haunted destinations in the city is the Lincoln Park Zoo. This zoo was built over a cemetery. Needless to say, when the cemetery was dug up, it woke up some moody ghosts.
For more Chicago ghostly lore, visit places such as the Iroquois Theatre. Here, over 600 people died in a vicious fire. Other sights include the former home of serial killer H.H. Holmes and the Congress Plaza Hotel.
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Portland, Oregon
Oregon’s largest city is a popular vacation destination for outdoor enthusiasts and craft beer-loving hipsters. In addition to the beanies, coffee shops, and unicycles, you’ll also find some seriously haunted places.
For an experience not for the faint of heart, check out the Pittock Mansion. This mansion is supposedly haunted by its former owners, Henry and Georgiana Pittock. Visitors have reported smelling perfume and seeing paintings and furniture move.
Downtown, too, has its fill of haunted spaces. Historic spaces like the Benson Hotel and the Shanghai Tunnels are often the sights for frightening sightings and phenomena. If you visit the city, consider going on a ghost tour to learn more about these haunted places.
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Los Angeles, California
LA is where movie stars are born and die and, on occasion, haunt the living. From haunted ships to creepy theaters, LA is a tourist destination that’s full of ghostly phenomena.
Landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign and the Colorado Street Bridge are where plenty of hauntings have been reported. The Hollywood Roosevelt and the Pantages Theatre are where dead celebrities are thought to return to haunt the living.
Then there’s the Queen Mary. The former luxury liner witnessed murders, drownings, and plenty of untimely deaths. Today, the ghosts of its former crew and passengers are thought to roam the ship and cause havoc for visitors.
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San Diego, California
Sunny San Diego is the perfect place for a ghost. Sure, it’s warm and inviting, but it’s also where the brutality of the Wild West was in full swing.
First, check out the Whaley House. This former estate was built by Thomas Whaley on the site of the city’s former public gallows. The grounds witnessed several brutal executions. Since building the house, the Whaley’s suffered several tragedies and untimely deaths.
Other haunted places include the William Heath Davis House. The ghosts of several previous residents are said to haunt the residence, now the oldest home in downtown San Diego. You can visit other landmarks during one of the city’s popular ghost tours.
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